Following the surrender of 59 cats from a home in Ionia, some animal advocates are debating the need for ordinances that place limitations on the number of pets people can have in a residence.

Pet number limitations are not addressed in the Ionia County Control Ordinance, but general regulations state, "every person who owns or who has charge, care of custody of an animal shall ensure that such an animal is provided with sufficient food and water, and sanitary living conditions to ensure the animal is healthy."

Ionia County Commissioner Jim Banks said he is unsure if the county has the authority to pass a county-wide limitation. He said he believes it would be up to the cities, villages and townships to establish such a regulation.

The city of Belding, in fact, has an ordinance limiting the number of pets in a home to two dogs and two cats.

In section 10-8 in the city code, "it shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep or harbor at any time more than two cats and two dogs, per residential or dwelling unit in the city." It does not apply to kennels or catteries in lawful operation.

In the city of Portland, an ordinance established in 1972 put no limits on cats but a person with more than two dogs must have a kennel license, according to Portland City Manager Thomas Dempsey. He said there are typically no complaints from citizens about animals.

Ionia County Animal Shelter Manager Robin Anderson said she would be in support of a county-wide or city ordinance, but also understands it is not simply black and white.

"I don't have a (limit) number as long as they can financially afford it," said Anderson.

She added "to afford" would mean the owner is responsible for medical issues, spaying or neutering, making sure the animal had a clean habitat and plenty of food and water.

Anderson said she would rather see a spay and neuter ordinance so pet populations would be better controlled, but there would be a need for another animal control staff member to enforce it. She said she knows the need is great not only because of the residence with 59 cats, but because she is aware of other homes harboring a large number of cats in the county.

Safe Haven Humane Society Treasurer Mary Ellen Snyder, however, said she opposes such an ordinance.

"I don't feel that having the city limit the number of pets people can have is the answer to these hoarder situations. I think if people can adequately care for their pets, it doesn't matter how many they have," said Snyder.

She added she believes pet situations become a problem when owners do not have them spayed or neutered.

Page 2 of 2 - "Requiring all pets in the home to be spayed or neutered would obviously reduce these occurrences. I hate to see more rules put into place regarding peoples' private lives, but at least then if a complaint was made to public safety, someone could stop by the home and check to see that all the pets were altered (by checking paperwork)," Snyder said.

DJ Freeman of Lyons not only owns five dogs, but also runs Grand River Rover Rescue and Lakeside Pet Kennels in Ionia County. She said she believes there is an animal hoarding problem in Ionia County which needs to be curbed.

"You have to have some kind of regulation on it," said Freeman about animal control.

She said she would be in favor of an ordinance that limits the number of pets, but with reasonable regulations. She said she believes up to six dogs and 10 cats would be acceptable as long as the residence or area where the pets are kept is following proper avenues of care. If it is not, an inspection may be needed, she added.

Another option, Freeman said, would be to charge for license fees for people reaching above the number limit, which would not only give the county the right to inspections, but would also have the potential for the country to make additional funds.

In concern to spaying and neutering, she said she believes it is a related problem to hoarding, and suggests a fee for pet owners who do not have the animal fixed. Licensed breeders would be an exception, she added, but the number of animals roaming the streets would decrease.

She said she believes people who begin taking animals in have the right intention, but many times situations become messy when they do not stop.

"People aren't always subjective enough to make that decision," Freeman said. "Their head is not in the right place."

She said the hardest lesson to learn for people who take in animals is how to say "no" and realize they cannot save every animal.